Traveling to the U.S.

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Here you will find helpful information about preparing for your arrival to the U.S. and MIIS.

Arriving in the U.S. and Monterey

Preparing to Travel to the United States

After securing your F-1 or J-1 student visas you will begin to make plans to travel to the U.S. You may enter the United States up to 30 days prior to the program start date. When traveling into the U.S. be sure to carry the following documents with you to present to a Port of Entry Officer.

Passport with non-immigrant F-1 or J-1 visa

SEVIS Form I-20 or DS-2019

SEVIS Fee payment receipt

Evidence of financial support

If you are traveling by airplane, the flight attendants will give you a CF-6059 Customs Declaration Form to complete prior to landing.

Planning Your Flight

It is advisable that you schedule your flight to the U.S. after obtaining the F-1 visa and not before. Furthermore, the U.S. federal regulations mandate that you arrive in the U.S. no more than 30 days before the expected report date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019. Please schedule your trip accordingly.

Arriving on Campus: SEVIS Registration and Reporting Requirements

After arriving on campus you must report to the Office of Student Services for SEVIS check-in procedures. Student Services is required to register your arrival and enrollment on SEVIS within 30 days of your expected report date; a procedure that shifts your SEVIS record from "initial" status to "active" status. If you do not report, you will be reported as a "no show" and your SEVIS record will be terminated, leaving you out of status and needing to apply for reinstatement to status.

Before or after arriving in the U.S., international students may have questions about how to adjust to life and culture in Monterey. If you are interested in reading tips and suggestions about things that can be done to help in the adjustment to life at the Institute, please visit the Helpful Tips for International Students page.

Getting to Monterey

There are a couple of different transportation services that can help you get from the airport to a hotel and/or campus.

When should I schedule my flight to the United States?

It is advisable that you schedule your flight to the U.S. after obtaining the F-1 visa and not before. Furthermore, the U.S. federal regulations mandate that you arrive in the U.S. no more than 30 days before the school report date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019. Please schedule your trip accordingly.

The Monterey Airbus will pick up from the San Jose or San Francisco airport and drop you off at Calle Principal, which is located two blocks from the MIIS campus and is walking distance to several local hotels. You can book your fare online on the Monterey Airbus's website. Booking online will save you $5 on the fare.